Croatia international Mateo Kovacic has snubbed interest from the Premier League, instead deciding to remain at Inter this summer.
Liverpool had been linked with the 21-year-old and were reportedly willing to shell out in excess of £21m for his services.
However, Kovacic will instead look to earn a starting berth with Roberto Mancini at Inter having signed a new four-year extension at the club back in January.
"Inter have never said they want to sell me, never," he told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want to stay here. I will not leave.
"That’s what I wanted, that’s what my renewal until 2019 shows, there will be a long relationship between myself and Inter."
Brendan Rodgers is alleged to have earmarked Kovacic as an ideal replacement for Raheem Sterling, who left Liverpool for Manchester City in a £49m earlier this week.
Kovacic, on the other hand, is refusing to be drawn on the speculation.
"Could I replace Sterling? We have two different roles," he continued. "It’s not for me to say whether there have been any offers from the Reds or not, hopefully that’s down to my agent.
"That said. I reiterate that I want to stay here."
The 21-year-old made career high 26 Serie A starts last season, scoring five goals and assisting a further three for his teammates.
Only Fredy Guarín (4.4) attempted more dribbles per game in Serie A for Inter last season than Kovacic (4.1). Similarly, of players to have made more than 20 appearances for the Nerazzuri in Serie A last term, only Hernanes (1.9) averaged more key passes per game than the Croatian (1.8)
For more stats on Mateo Kovacic, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
